Owners don’t reward good intentions—they reward verified performance. This session shows air barrier practitioners, architects, contractors, and Cx providers how to move from drawings to passing results with a clear, repeatable path that works at entry, intermediate, and advanced levels. We start with why now (IECC/ASHRAE drivers and owner risk) and a plain-English methods decoder so everyone can map questions to the right test: ASTM E1186 (qualitative diagnostics), E1105/E783 (fenestration water/air acceptance), E779/E1827 (unit/single-zone airtightness when specified), E3158 (whole-building/multizone acceptance), and E1554 (duct leakage). We clarify diagnostic vs. acceptance roles, test pressures, and pass/fail metrics (e.g., whole-building targets such as ≤0.40 cfm/ft² @ 75 Pa when required), then show how pressure-uniformity planning (zoning, damper/relief indexing, isolation) prevents retests and aligns with the BECx workflow from OPR through closeout.

The core of the hour is five concise case studies presented as Pain → Action → Proof → Benefit: a high-rise (uniformity at atria/terraces), an agency headquarters building (owner-driven acceptance language), a science building (pressurization strategy at shafts/labs), federal projects (multi-wing logistics and repeatable playbooks), and diagnostic testing of an existing building (E1186/IR/pressure-pan triage feeding targeted repairs before formal tests). Each example pairs preparation moves (continuity mapping at transitions, slab-edge and ledger/WRB mockups, submittal compatibility checks) with a rapid fix/verify loop and an Allowed vs. Achieved readout translated into owner value: lower moisture/IEQ risk, steadier comfort, fewer callbacks, and lower EUI.

Two quick knowledge checks reinforce terminology and acceptance criteria. Attendees leave with a Division 01 method/criteria matrix (methods, ΔP, pass/fail language), a one-page Owner/Design/GC checklist, and case-study tile templates they can drop into proposals/specs—tools that make it easier to spec it, test it, and pass it on the first try.

Learning Objectives:

1. Interpret current code pathways (prescriptive vs performance) and identify mandatory envelope/air-barrier provisions to set clear acceptance targets.
2. Organize the BECx flow from OPR through closeout and write Division 01 criteria (method, metric, ΔP, documentation, pass/fail).
3. Select and plan testing—diagnostic vs acceptance —with pressure-uniformity/readiness steps.
4. Apply case-study lessons to prioritize fixes and demonstrate Allowed-versus-Achieved outcomes that reduce moisture/IEQ risk, callbacks, and EUI.

Stephen Shanks, CxA, CxA+BE, BECxP, ASNT NDT Level III, VP Building Enclosure Commissioning, Salas O’Brien

Stephen Shanks is Vice President for Building Enclosure Commissioning at Salas O’Brien and a subject matter expert on air barriers, whole-building airtightness, and diagnostic testing. His practice includes forensic enclosure diagnostics, claims evaluation, and independent expert testimony that translates complex technical evidence into clear, defensible findings. With more than four decades in building science and commissioning, he integrates design-phase risk management with field-verified performance to help owners achieve durable, energy-efficient, and healthy enclosures.

His portfolio spans high-rise, federal, science, and multifamily projects, where he routinely leads continuity reviews, mock-up strategies, and acceptance testing programs. He holds CxA, CxA+BE, BECxP, and ASNT NDT Level III credentials. Active across the standards community—including ASTM, ASHRAE, ISO, AIA, and ASNT—Stephen contributes to building enclosure commissioning (ASTM E2947/E2813), airtightness (ASTM E3158), qualitative diagnostics (ASTM E1186), fenestration performance (AAMA 502/503; ASTM E1105/E783), and duct leakage (ASTM E1554).

A practical organizer and instructor, Stephen emphasizes pressure-uniformity planning, damper/relief indexing, and “spec it, test it, pass it” documentation that links Allowed-versus-Achieved outcomes to owner value: lower moisture/IEQ risk, fewer callbacks, and reduced EUI. He translates complex requirements into clear Division 01, 07, and 08 criteria, field-ready checklists, and repeatable workflows for architects, contractors, and commissioning providers. Committed to elevating practice through rigorous testing and constructive collaboration, Stephen delivers practical methodologies and SOP-driven processes that reliably turn intent into verified results.